Dry Eye Facts
- 30 to 40 million Americans are estimated to suffer from dry eyes.
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is considered the leading cause, accounting for 86% of cases of dry eye disease.
- The meibomian glands secrete the top layer of your tears. This layer is a thick, oily layer that seals the tears onto your eyes.
- These glands work when we blink. As you blink the muscles in your eyelids contract and activate these glands to release.
- We should blink every 5 seconds. While working on a computer or looking at our phones, any focused activity, we blink every 15-20 seconds.
- If we do not blink and activate these glands, they become blocked. If they stay blocked chronically, they can atrophy and die away. Fewer glands means less tear production, which will cause more dry eye symptoms.Dry eye disease due to MGD can have a significant impact on your quality of life, causing pain, blurred vision, tearing, foreign body sensation, redness, increased sensitivity, itching and lid swelling.
- Making an effort to blink more, following the 20/20/20 rule, warm compresses, lid scrubs and lubricating drops help to relieve symptoms.
- Intense Pulse Light (IPL) and Radio Frequency (RF) treatments can be used to treat the root cause of MGD and dry eye disease.
OptiLIGHT
OptiLIGHT is the first and only light therapy, FDA approved for dry eye management.
OptiLIGHT with Lumenis patented Optimal Pulse Technology uses precise, intense broad spectrum light to address inflammation – one of the key underlining factors in dry eye disease due to MGD. It also treats telangiectasia and ocular rosacea.
OptiLIGHT is specifically developed to safely, effectively, and gently reach the delicate contours of the skin around your eyes.
Backed by numerous clinical studies, OptiLIGHT’ novel Optimal Pulse Technology provides a transformative, safe, and efficacious way to improve signs of dry eye disease due to MGD.
- A course of treatment typically includes 4 sessions 2-4 weeks apart.
- Each session usually takes about 20 minutes.
- Treatment is non-invasive.
- During the treatment, a cooling gel will be applied to the treatment area and your eyes will be covered with shields.
- You may experience a warm sensation as light is applied to the skin, the treatment is gentle with minimal discomfort.
- The light is applied with two different sized handpieces, with two treatments per handpiece.
- OptiLIGHT may be followed by meibomian gland expression.
OptiPLUS
OptiPLUS uses innovative, FDA-cleared dual-frequency radio frequency technology.
Radiofrequency (RF) energy creates gentle heat to treat blockages in the meibomian glands. This improves the way these glands function. It also stimulates collagen production, which can help to smooth and tighten the skin around the eyes and can reverse gland atrophy.
- A course of treatment typically includes 4 sessions 2-4 weeks apart.
- Each session usually takes about 20 minutes.
- Treatment is non-invasive.
- During treatment a cream is applied to the area around your eye.
- A grounding pad is applied to the area at the base of your neck.
- A handpiece is used to apply the radio frequency which is felt as heat, similar to a hot stone massage. Treatment follows a C-shaped pattern around your eye.
- OptiPLUS may be followed by meibomian gland expression.
Both treatments are gentle and require no down time.
Immediately following treatment, you may experience some redness. That usually disappears within a few hours.
You can return to your daily activities and apply makeup straight away in most cases.
You will be advised to stay out of direct sunlight for a few days and to apply sunscreen.
Patients usually report improvement after the 2nd or 3rd treatment.
Maintenance treatments are usually recommended every 6-12 months to ensure long-term results.
These treatments are not suitable for all patients. Schedule an examination to determine which treatment plan is best for you. Neither treatment can be performed on a woman who is pregnant or nursing.
OptiLIGHT is contraindicated for patients with the following in the treatment area: active infections, dysplastic nevi, tattoos, significant concurrent skin inflammation (excluding acne or rosacea), active cold sores, open lacerations, abrasions and prolonged sun exposure. Caution is advised for patients with a compromised immune system, coagulation disorders, photosensitivity, hormonal disorders or a history of herpes simplex near the treatment area. A Fitzpatrick skin type of V or VI is also a contraindication for OptiLIGHT treatment.
OptiPLUS is contraindicated in anyone who has a pacemaker or implanted electronic device. Caution is advised in patients who take medications that increase skin sensitivity to heat or change skin metabolism, have active skin infections, any inflammatory skin conditions or skin cancers, have any disease that increase skin temperature, have nerve insensitivity in the the treatment area, wear piercings in the treatment area, or have allergies to any of the coupling cream ingredients.
IPL FOR DRY EYE RELIEF AND SKIN REJUVENATION PACKAGE
Intense pulse light therapy (IPL) harnesses gentle pulses of light to reduce inflammation and telangiectasia and treat ocular rosacea. This improves the way your meibomian glands function, relieving the symptoms of dry eye disease. It can also provide a rejuvenating experience for the skin by targeting redness and pigmentation issues.
- $1,400 for the Initial 4 Treatment Sessions
- $350 per Retreatment Session
- Includes OptiLight Treatment
RF FOR DRY EYE RELIEF AND SKIN REJUVENATION PACKAGE
Radiofrequency (RF) energy creates gentle heat to treat blockages in the meibomian glands. This improves the way these glands function. It also stimulates collagen production, which can help to smooth and tighten the skin around the eyes and can reverse gland atrophy.
- $1,100 for the Initial 4 Treatment Sessions
- $275 per Retreatment Session
- Includes OptiPLUS Treatment
IPL + RF FOR DRY EYE RELIEF AND SKIN REJUVENATION PACKAGE
Combine both treatments (IPL + RF) for the most comprehensive treatment of dry eye disease and meibomian gland dysfunction and maximize the cosmetic benefits. This will provide lasting relief, optimal eye comfort and a fresher, more youthful look.
- $2,400 for the Initial 4 Treatment Sessions
- $600 per Retreatment Session
- Includes OptiLIGHT and OptiPLUS Treatments
MORE INFO
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/computer-usage
